Nature's Burger Mix, Take 2

So yesterday I gave the Nature's Burger Mix a second try. I incorporated some of the ideas I got from the first experiment. I threw some frozen veggies in my food processor (carrots, green beans, corn, peas, bell peppers), then mixed that with some vegetarian vegetable broth. I used that instead of water to make the dough. I also added some ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. From both experiences with this product, I've found that mixing exactly equal parts of liquid and powder mix results in a dough that is too wet; I had to add extra mix a little at a time to get a firm, moldable dough.

The result: definitely better flavor. The sesame flavor was still very strong, but not quite so overpowering. As I suspected, the patty didn't hold together quite as well with the extra ingredients, but it wasn't a huge problem. I think some more experimentation is in order, but it looks promising.

Koyo Ramen, Mushroom Flavor

It looks a lot like the ramen you're used to: plastic packet, block of curly noodles, foil packet of flavoring. It cooks a lot like the ramen you're used to. However, it has some major differences:

*It is made of natural ingredients
*It contains no MSG
*It is vegan
*IT HAS NO FLAVOR

I was in the grocery store yesterday looking for a cheap, convenient, vegetarian, Asian noodle soup. I looked at a powder mix for miso soup, but it was about $3 and I wasn't entirely sure it was vegetarian. I looked at some tasty looking noodle soups from Thai Kitchen and Annie Chun's which come in their own disposable bowl, but they all cost >$3 each. Then I happened upon the Koyo Ramen. They had three flavors: Mushroom, Soba, and Miso/Tofu, all $1.29 each ($1+ more than the popular ramen brands). I decided to get all three.

Maybe I was wrong to expect that it would have as much flavor as the cheapo brands. They, after all, contain MSG, artificial flavors, and meat. However, I don't think that a health- and environmentally-conscious person should have to sacrifice flavor to eat organic and vegetarian -- but it's starting to seem like this may all too often be the case.

Anyway, my search for tasty, vegetarian noodle soup continues.

Protein source:
Allergens:
Vegan

Nature's Burger Mix

Today I tried Nature's Burger Mix by Fantastic Foods, purchased from the bulk foods section of my local grocery store.

It was extremely easy to make -- mix equal parts burger mix and hot water, form into patty, fry in pan, serve on bread with cheese/condiments. I had no idea how much to use, so I guessed and used about 1/3 cup water and mix, which made one patty with a small bit left over. 1/4 cup would probably be about right.

I thought the dough smelled really bland so I added a few things -- a little fresh ground black pepper, garlic powder, celery salt -- but it didn't seem to help much. I thought about mixing in some diced veggies for more flavor, but wasn't sure if the mix would hold together with extra wet ingredients. Plus, I wanted to get an idea of how the product was (more or less) on its own.

The "burger" tastes strongly of sesame to me (not surprising since it does have a lot of sesame seeds in it...). For others, this could be a good thing or bad thing. For me, I thought it was a bit much.

The texture is good. It held together well while cooking and eating.

Overall, I'm not too impressed with the product as is, but I think it has a lot of potential -- especially since it is so quick and easy to make. I think with a little experimenting, some veggies or other ingredients could be added for more flavor, or veggie broth could be used instead of water. Also, I could see this mix being used to make "meat"-balls or perhaps other things...

Allergens: Wheat, soy, sesame
Vegan

Seitan Quick Mix

Last Thursday I cooked seitan (a meat substitute made from wheat gluten) for the first time.
I used "Seitan Quick Mix" from Harvest Direct. The process was pretty easy, but I can't say whether or not it turned out right since I have no previous experience with seitan! I know it didn't look anything like the burger on the package...


I made the dough according to the directions, formed it into a sort-of log shape, and simmered it for an hour in a vegetarian beef-flavor broth. After an hour, I cut into it and it still looked doughy in the middle. So I cut it into four segments and simmered it for another 15 minutes.

I ate one of the segments with a big helping of mashed potatoes. Not surprisingly, it tasted like... wheat! The texture was quite firm, dense, and meat-like, though. I was hoping it would have absorbed more of the flavor of the broth, since it smelled so good as it was cooking. Maybe next time I'll try using broth to make the dough instead of water...

I stored the leftovers in broth in the fridge as directed on the package. The next evening I decided to cut up another portion and cook it in a stir-fry with some veggies I had on hand - carrots, peas, corn, green beans, bell peppers, celery, and onions. I cut up the seitan into small strips, and it seemed to absorb some of the flavor of the veggies as it cooked. I ate it with some white rice, and it was delicious!

I don't know what the white stuff is in the photo. It appeared in the broth after being refrigerated for a day. Something congealed, I guess...?

Protein source: Wheat
Allergens: Wheat
Vegan